Dr. Bobs SoundSchool rocked the Orange Peel!
Wednesday, April 29th, was the Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool celebratory grand finale for Asheville City Schools in North Carolina! At the end of the semester, after completing our 10-week curriculum, students each year perform at The Orange Peel, the Asheville venue once named one of the top five rock clubs in the nation by Rolling Stone. The second-graders sang and kazooed their hearts out on the same stage previously graced by Gary Numan, Haken, the Wallflowers, Metric, The Beastie Boys, Lauryn Hill, Bob Dylan, and countless other recognized acts from across the globe.
After 10 weeks of experience using theremins, kazoos, and other sonic tools, these energetic performances are always a musical and scientific bonanza! Teachers, school officials, and families watched our kids share what they learned via original songs about the science of sound.
Sonic inspiration and science education. This is what we do.
Imagine singing, dancing, a light show, and lots of instrumental kazoo breaks, and you’ll start to get a good idea of the experience! The songs performed this year were chiefly adaptations of 1980s pop songs. Just like ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic does, the lyrics were cleverly adjusted, but not just for comedic effect! Once you learn these lyrics, you’ll have learned a little something about the science of sound! Here’s an example, written by Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool volunteer and Claxton Elementary School staff member Brooks Butler:
Everybody Wants to Hear the Sound
Welcome to your ear
Through the ear canal
Vibrate the ear drum
Sound waves like to…
Move the hammer, anvil, stirrup
Hear the music as it turns up
Everybody wants to hear the sound!
Bob Moog’s cool designs
Changed the music’s course
Sounds like no one heard
An electronic source
Wave shapes and good vibrations
Envelopes and modulations
Everybody wants to hear the sound!
There’s a wave that is trying to find you
Causing air to vibrate all around
With certain frequency and amplitude
A source wiggles through a medium
Ears are ready to receive them
Everybody wants to hear the sound!
